Machine for softening cloth



, J. W. FRIES. MACHINE FOR SOFTENING OLO'IH.

2 Sheetg-Sheet (No Model.)

Patent ed Aug, 8, 1893,

(No Model.) I 2 ShBGts-Sheet 2.

- J. W. FRIES. MACHINE FOR SOPTENINGOLOTH.

N0.502,9O 3. PatentedA ug, 8,1893.

" NN-Hill] I lllllllll-rA-r-igi:

UNITED ST =TES PATENT OFFrcn.

JOHN: w; FRIES, or SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA.

MACH iN El oR-soFrEN l NG :CLOTH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters l atent No. 592,903, dated August 8, 1893. Applioationfiled March 18,1893. seria1NB.466,639. (No model.)

and details hereinafter set forth and claimed.-

In the drawings,-Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved machine; Fig. 2, a front.

end elevation; Fig. 3, a side view; and Fig. 4, a detail view.

A indicates a main supporting frame of any suitable construction, and B a shaft extending from front to rear thereof and journaled in suitable bearings. This shaft is provided with a worm G, a crank or cranked portion D, and a band wheel E as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

F F indicate upright posts secured rigidly upon the frame, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and carrying each a die G of the form illustrated in Fig. 4,-the said posts being separated from and arranged parallelfto each other. Working between the upright posts F F, is a bar II which is connected at one end with the crank D, and at the opposite end with the upper end of a rocking lever I, as clearly shown in all the figures, the said bar H carrying a die J which in the present instance is shown as of the same form as the dies G G in the upright posts.

Upon reference to Fig. 4 it will be noticed that these dies G and J comprise a ring a having internal rounded teeth I), and a connecting bar 0 having on both edges similar rounded teeth; the said bar a dividing the dies into two separate and distinct parts or openings through either of which the cloth may be fed. It will also be noticed upon reference to Fig. 4. that, upon the rotation of the shaft B, the

die J in the bar H will be reciprocated back and forth and up and down betweenthe dies G in the posts F. Beyond the inner post F is a horizontal guide roller 61 upon which the cloth rests after passing through the dies; while beyond the roller 01 is apair of horizontally-disposed feed rollers K, L, arranged in different horizontal and vertical planes as shown in Fig. 3. Upon the shaft of roller L is a worm wheel M which receives motion fromworm O, and also a gear wheel N which meshes with a similar gear 0 on the shaft of roller K, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Hung from the shaft of roller K, or otherwise supported, is a smaller roller P which is used for the purpose of preventing the material from winding entirely around the rollers K, L, but which may be omitted if desired.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The cloth is fed in the direction of the arrow at, Fig. 3, through the first die G, then through the corresponding opening in the reciprocating die J, and finally through the second fixed die G. Motion is now imparted to the shaft B, and the die J which is carried in the vibrating bar H, is reciprocated back and forth and up and down between the fixed dies G G, and causes the cloth to rub or pull over the rounded teeth I), or to be kneaded, as it were, by such teeth. This effectually breaks down the goods and softens them to an extent and in a manner heretofore unknown,

and. improves both the feel and charac ter of the goods. After passing through the dies the cloth passes over the guide roller d, thence downward to the" under side of the roller L, between said roller and the roller K, and finally over the top of roller K and out of the machine. 1

Two separate pieces of cloth may be fed through the machine at the same time,one piece through each "die opening.

The form or shape of the dies may be variously modified to suit difierent widths,

weights and thicknesses of cloth.

ing the dies G, and the reciprocating bar H feed rollers K and L; and the roller P ar- 10 having die J 5 the guide roller d; the feed ranged in proximity to the feed rollers. rollers K and L geared together; a shaft B; In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand a crank D thereon for imparting motion to in the presence of two Witnesses. 5 bar H; and a Worm C also secured to the shaft B and engaging a Worm wheel M on the JOHN FRIES shaft of roller L. Witnesses:

4. In combination with the fixed and mov- JAMES E. REICH,

able dies, and the guide roller; the geared A. F. PFOHL. 

